Last Update 7/20/03
Last Update 7/20/03
To see the current duck and goose counts on all the state wildlife areas that are not listed below, and weekly waterfowl counts for 1998 and 1999, click here for statewide DFG results
here for my 2000-2001 results. and here for my 1999 -2000 results.
THE SOCAL WATERFOWL ROUNDUP -- matthews 4oct00
Duck hunting season in Southern California opens Oct. 14 with the goose opener to follow on Oct. 21st, and state and federal wildlife officials are predicting another good waterfowl season. The question in Southern California is simply "will the weather cooperate?" The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says that some 90 million ducks will be filtering down the various flyways this year. That includes 11.3 million mallards, down considerably from last year's record high of 13.6 million. Although the overall fall flight number has decreased from last year's 105 million birds, 90 million is still a very high index, according to officials at Ducks Unlimited. Prior to last year's record-breaking number, the record index was 92 million in 1997, making this year's fall flight the third highest on record.
Last year's record number of birds did not translate into record waterfowl harvests in Southern California, however, with most areas reporting a reduced take due to a mild winter that kelp many species of birds further to the north and generally dismal, blue-bird hunting conditions throughout the season. The continued one-pintail limit also did not help matters, even though pintail numbers have been up in California, and pintail numbers at the Salton Sea have been impressive. "As much as I love watching the birds work and being on the marsh at dawn, it hardly seems worth the effort for a single pintail -- especially when there are so many around. But I keep coming out," said a long-time Wister hunter.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that green-winged teal numbers reached record highs this year, while slight declines were observed for other surveyed species. Northern pintail populations also fell slightly and remain 33 percent below their long-term average, which is why California continues to have a single pintail bag limit. American widgeon populations fell six percent from last year's surveys, and northern shovelers were down nine percent. The breeding population of canvasbacks remained essentially unchanged at about 700,000, while redhead populations fell five percent to 926,000. The continental scaup population, which includes both greater and lesser scaup, declined nine percent from last year's increase, and remains 25 percent below its historic average.
According to preliminary estimates of waterfowl harvest and hunter activity gathered during the 1999-2000 season through the National Waterfowl Harvest Survey, hunters harvested nearly 15.8 million ducks last season, a seven percent decrease from the previous season. Persons buying duck stamps for hunting averaged nearly nine days afield and harvested an average of nearly 10 ducks, down eight percent from the previous season's level. The limit will again be seven ducks this year, including no more than two hen mallards, two redheads, one canvasback, four scaup, and one pintail. The goose bag limits will be the same -- three light geese and two honkers. New hunters and long-time waterfowlers are reminded that most of the hunting on public wildlife areas is done via a state-run application system. Applications must be in Sacramento at least 14 days prior to the desired shoot day, which means time is past to get in applications for opening day on Oct. 14. The system is relatively simple but time consuming, and all of the information and application cards and forms should be available at outlets that sell hunting licenses.
NON-TOXIC AMMUNTION ALTERNATIVES -- matthews 4oct00
When lead shot was banned nationwide for waterfowl hunting in 1991, hunters whined about the change. "Steel ammunition is too expensive." "Steel loads cripple waterfowl -- it doesn't kill the birds." "My old shotgun will be destroyed by shooting steel loads." Well it's time to quit whining. The newest non-toxic ammunition -- available now in an almost dizzying array of loads -- is better than lead, and there is now effective steel ammunition that costs about the same as lead waterfowl loads did back in the 1980s -- if you make adjustments for inflation. There is even ammo available that can be shot from ancient, skinny-barreled shotguns.
The new, budget steel loads from Federal and Winchester are on the market this year for less than $10 a box of 25 shells. These are high speed loads that kill ducks very effectively out to reasonable shooting ranges. If you need something more powerful or lethal, the wide array of bismuth and tungsten loads are fully the equivalent of lead, and many of the tungsten loads are actually more effective. Federal's Tungsten-Iron loads and specialty Hevi-Shot loads will kill ducks and geese well beyond ranges where most guys can hit the birds. We can be thankful the stuff is $2 to $3 a shot because it's cost alone discourages sky busting. At realistic ranges, there has never been an ammunition that crumples geese better than these tungsten loads. The hard tungsten shot penetrates better, breaks bones more effectively, flies truer, and patterns far better than lead. Yes, they are expensive, but for goose hunters who can only expect to shoot a few times, the cost of this ammunition is tiny when compared to what they will spend on gasoline, decoys, and all the other costs associated with effective hunting.
Most exciting this year are the lower-cost steel loads. Winchester has come out with a line of steel in it's Xpert line and Federal has a new steel Duck and Pheasant load. Both ammunition will sell from $8 to $10 a box in most retail outlets and hunters may find it sale priced even lower. The ultra speed steel loads, those topping 1,450 fps, are now being made by virtually all of the major makers -- Federal, Winchester, Remington, PMC and Fiochi -- along with many of the smaller specialty companies. These loads generally cost from $14 to $22 for a box of 25, depending on the company and configuration. These are the loads that have changed most hunters minds about how effective steel shot can be. They simply hammer birds. Federal had also reached out to the duck hunting market with a load that combines its tungsten-iron shot with a steel load. The "studs," as they have come to be called, feature No. 2 steel paired with No. 4 tungsten at high velocity. They are priced mid-way between the premium, high-speed steel and the pricey tungsten or bismuth loads.
The cream of the ammunition crop for dedicated duck hunters and goose fanatics are the top end, the tungsten and bismuth waterfowl loads. Several companies are making loads in this high-end market. Federal makes both tungsten-iron and tungsten-polymer loads, Kent makes a great tungsten-matrix load, and the Bismuth Cartridge Company makes a huge line of ammo in all gauges. These loads cost $15 to $25 for a box of 10 shells.
Whatever you shoot this fall for waterfowl, the time is over for pining about the days of lead shot.
San Diego City Lakes waterfowl hunting application
You need an application to apply for
the San Diego City Lakes waterfowl hunts at Lake Barrett, Upper and Lower
Otay Reservoir, and Sutherland Reservoir. Info Jim Brown, the lakes program
manager.
Application form packets are available by calling
(619) 668-2030 or by sending an e-mail with your mailing address to sqs@sdcity.sannet.gov.
Completed applications may be faxed back to (619) 443-7681.
To
download the DFG 2000- 2001 waterfowl regs in Acrobat file form click here.
Northeastern California Zone: Duck season is 10/7/2000- 1/14/2001, youth hunt days on 9/30/2000 and 10/1/2000. Goose seasons are as follows: For White-fronted and Cackling Geese: 10/7/2000-11/19/2000. For all other geese: 10/7/2000- 1/14/2001, youth hunt days on 9/30 and 10/1. The goose limit is three per day. The daily bag may contain up to two dark geese, of which one may be a cackler or all three may be white geese. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit. (Please see the Regulations for special closures in some area.)
Southern California Zone: Duck season is 10/14/2000-1/21/2001, youth hunt days on 1/27-28/2001. Goose season is 10/21/2000-1/21/2001. The goose limit is five per day. Three may be white geese. Three may be dark geese, of which one may be a cackler. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit.
Daily bag limit is 7 which includes up to 7 mallards but no more than 2 hen mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads of either sex, 4 scaup (bluebill). Possession limit is double the daily bag limit.
Colorado River Zone: Duck season is 10/13/2000-1/21/2001, youth hunt day on 1/27/2001. Goose season runs from 10/16/2000-1/21/2001. The goose limit is five per day. Three may be white geese. Three may be dark geese, of which one may be a cackler. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit.
Daily bag limit is 7 which includes up to 7 mallards but no more than 2 hen mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads of either sex, 4 scaup (bluebill). Possession limit is double the daily bag limit.
Southern San Joaquin Zone: Duck season is 10/14/2000-1/21/2001, youth hunt days on 1/27-28/2001. Goose seasons runs from 11/4/2000-1/21/2001, youth hunt days on 1/27-28/2001. The goose limit in both zones is three per day. The daily bag may contain up to two dark geese, of which one may be a cackler. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit.
Daily bag limit is 7 which includes up to 7 mallards but no more than 2 hen mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads of either sex, 4 scaup (bluebill). Possession limit is double the daily bag limit.
Balance of the State Zone: Duck season is 10/14/2000-1/21/2001, youth hunt days on 1/27-28/2001. Goose seasons runs from 11/4/2000-1/21/2001, youth hunt days on 1/27-28/2001. The goose limit in both zones is three per day. The daily bag may contain up to two dark geese, of which one may be a cackler. The goose possession limit is double the daily bag limit. The special youth waterfowl hunt date is Saturday, January 29, 2000.
Daily bag limit is 7 which includes up to 7 mallards but no more than 2 hen mallards, 1 pintail, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads of either sex, 4 scaup (bluebill). Possession limit is double the daily bag limit.
Goose Definitions: "Dark geese" include Canada geese, cackling geese, and white-fronted geese (also known as specklebellys). "Canada geese" includes western Canada geese (a.k.a. Honkers) and lesser Canada geese (a.k.a. Lessers). "Cackling geese" or cacklers as they're also called, are small white cheeked geese about the size of a mallard duck. They are identical in appearance to Canada Geese, but for these regulations, cacklers are not considered Canada Geese. "White geese" includes snow geese and Ross' geese. "Aleutian geese" are medium sized, white cheeked geese which are fully protected in California. For these regulations, Aleutian geese are not considered Canada Geese.
Shooting Hours for the state duck and goose season are 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Exception is areas over or adjacent to Morro Bay, which is 8 am to sunset.
License Requirements: You need a valid California hunting license. You'll also need both the California Duck Stamp and the Federal Duck Stamp if you are hunting waterfowl anywhere in the State. Waterfowl means ducks, geese, coots, moorhen, and brandt. California hunting licenses and duck stamps are available from most license agents and Department offices. Federal duck stamps are available at post offices and some license agents. A. State Duck Stamps cost $10.50. Federal Duck Stamps cost $15.
Junior hunters (anyone with a valid junior hunting license) do not have to have a State Duck Stamp. However, once a junior hunter reaches 16 years of age, he/she will need a Federal Duck Stamp to hunt waterfowl.
California resident hunting license is $27.25. Non resident hunting license is $95.50 or 2 day non resident license is $26.50. Junior (resident or non resident) hunting license is $6.75. Both are available from Department of Fish and Game license sales counters and license agents.
Shotshell Requirements: Steel shot or non toxic shot is required to hunt waterfowl anywhere in California. On most national wildlife refuges and some state wildlife areas, steel shot is also required to hunt pheasant. However, since requirements vary, check the "Hunting on State and Federal Areas" regulation booklet for the area(s) you want to hunt. Remember, you cannot possess lead shot while hunting waterfowl, even during pheasant season.
Where can I get State Wildlife Area Hunt application forms?
The $1.05 and $5.25 application forms are available from license agents and
Department license sales counters. Please use our search engine to find a
License Agent virtually anywhere in California. Use URL http://www.dfg.ca.gov/cgi-bin/srch
to access this information. The season-long form is available from Department
offices or by calling the License and Revenue Branch at (916) 227-2242. The
approximately 13,000 Hunters who applied for reservations during the 1998
Waterfowl Season should receive a season-long application form in the Mail
for the 1999 season in mid- September.
The following duck report is courtesy of Jim Matthews.
Click
here for Map of San Jacinto WA
Click here for weather report at San Jacinto
1/31/01 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 21 junior hunters Saturday who shot 24 ducks and two coots for a 1.24 average. The bag consisted of seven greenwings, four shovelers, four cinnamon teal, four ruddy ducks, two gadwall, one pintail, one bufflehead, and one canvasback.
1/24/01 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 49 hunters Wednesday who shot 51 ducks and two coots for a 1.08 average. The duck bag consisted of 11 greenwings, nine gadwall, eight cinnamons, eight bufflehead, six ruddies, three widgeon, two pintail, two canvasback, one mallard, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 70 hunters who shot 64 ducks and eight coots for a 1.03 average. The duck bag included 14 gadwall, 14 cinnamons, 11 shovelers, seven greenwings, five ruddies, four bufflehead, three pintail, two widgeon, two redheads, one canvasback, and one goldeneye. There is a special junior waterfowl hunt Saturday
1/17/01 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 56 hunters last Wednesday who shot 52 ducks and 15 coots for a 1.20 average. The duck bag included 16 greenwing teal, 11 gadwall, nine bufflehead, eight cinnamon teal, three ruddy ducks, two shovelers, one ringneck, one redhead, and one goldeneye. On Saturday, there were 64 hunters who shot 63 ducks for a .98 average. The duck bag consisted of 19 greenwings, 18 shovelers, eight gadwall, six widgeon, four bufflehead, three redheads, three ruddies, one mallard, and one canvasback.
1/10/01 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 61 hunters last Wednesday who shot 77 ducks, two Canada geese, and two coots for a 1.33 average. The duck bag consisted of 33 greenwings, 22 gadwall, seven shovelers, three widgeon, three bufflehead, two mallards, two cinnamon teal, two ringnecks, two ruddies, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were again 61 hunters who shot 54 ducks and four Canada geese for a .95 average. The duck bag included 12 shovelers, 11 greenwings, 10 bufflehead, five gadwall, five cinnamons, five canvasback, two scaup, two ruddies, one redhead, and one ringneck.
1/03/01 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 54 hunters last Wednesday who shot 66 ducks and three coots for a 1.27 average. The duck bag consisted of 33 greenwing teal, 14 gadwall, nine shovelers, five bufflehead, three pintail, one widgeon, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 48 hunters who shot 55 ducks and a coot for a 1.16 average. The duck bag included 29 greenwings, 12 shovelers, seven ruddies, three gadwall, three bufflehead, and one pintail.
12/27/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 56 hunters last Wednesday who shot 51 ducks and four coots for a .98 average. The duck bag consisted of 27 shovelers, 15 greenwings, five gadwall, two widgeon, one cinnamon teal, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 52 hunters who shot 44 ducks and one coot for a .87 average. The duck bag consisted of 23 greenwings, nine shovelers, four gadwall, three pintail, three cinnamon teal, one mallard, and one ruddy.
12/20/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 54 hunters last Wednesday who shot 50 ducks for a .93 average. The duck bag consisted of 17 greenwing teal, 12 shoveler, seven gadwall, five cinnamons, four canvasback, two widgeon, one pintail, one redhead, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 57 hunters who shot 34 ducks and three coots for a .65 average. The duck bag included 10 greenwings, six gadwall, five bufflehead, four shovelers, two canvasback, two ringnecks, one pintail, one redhead, and one ruddy.
12/13/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 71 hunters last Wednesday who shot 64 ducks and three coots for a .94 average. The duck bag consisted of 28 greenwings, 10 shovelers, eight gadwall, five widgeon, four pintail, four cinnamon teal, two mallards, one canvasback, one scaup, and one merganser. On Saturday, there were 81 hunters who shot 90 ducks and 10 coots for a 1.23 average. The duck bag included 51 pintail, 23 cinnamon teal, four ruddies, three widgeon, three greenwings, two mallards, two shovelers, one gadwall, and one bufflehead.
12/6/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 54 hunters last Wednesday who shot 70 ducks for a 1.30 average. The bag consisted of 24 greenwing teal, 16 widgeons, eight shovelers, six gadwall, six pintail, three cinnamon teal, three bufflehead, three ruddies, and one mallard. On Saturday, there were 36 hunters who shot 32 ducks and four coots for a .51 average. The bag included, seven cinnamon teal, six greenwings, six widgeon, four shovelers, three gadwall, three ruddies, one mallard, one scaup, and one bluewing teal.
11/29/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 64 hunters last Wednesday who shot 80 ducks, five coots, and one Ross’ goose for a 1.34 average. The duck bag included 20 widgeon, 18 gadwall, 17 greenwing teal, seven shovelers, five pintail, five cinnamon teal, five ruddies, two bufflehead, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 70 hunters who shot 88 ducks and one snow goose for a 1.34 average. The duck bag consisted of 31 shovelers, 14 ruddy ducks, 12 greenwings, 10 widgeon, eight gadwall, five cinnamons, two pintail, two redheads, two bufflehead, one mallard, and one canvasback.
11/22/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 51 hunters last Wednesday who shot 79 ducks and eight coots for a 1.71 average. The bag consisted of 38 widgeon, nine ruddies, seven cinnamon teal, six gadwall, five shovelers, four pintail, three greenwing teal, three bufflehead, two ringnecks, one redhead, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 47 hunters who shot 63 ducks, one cackling goose, and one coot for a 1.38 average. The duck bag included 26 widgeon, 11 gadwall, eight ruddies, six pintail, four cinnamons, three greenwings, two bufflehead, one shoveler, one canvasback, and one scaup.
11/15/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 54 hunters last Wednesday who shot 82 ducks and a coot for a 1.54 average. The bag consisted of 29 widgeon, 13 greenwings, 11 pintail, nine cinnamons, eight gadwall, four ruddies, three bufflehead, two mallards, two bluebill, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 39 hunters who shot 52 ducks for a 1.33 average. The duck bag included 11 widgeon, 10 gadwall, 10 greenwings, eight shovelers, five pintail, three ringnecks, two mallards, two cinnamons, and one ruddy duck.
11/8/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 58 hunters last Wednesday who shot 49 ducks and three coots for a .86 average. The duck bag included 14 widgeon, 10 greenwings, six mallards, six cinnamon teal, six ruddy ducks, three gadwall, three pintail, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 60 hunters who shot 50 ducks and eight coots for a .97 average. The duck bag consisted of 18 widgeon, seven pintail, seven cinnamon teal, six bufflehead, four ruddy ducks, two mallards, two canvasback, two ringnecks, one gadwall, and one greenwing teal.
11/1/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 54 hunters last Wednesday who shot 83 ducks and 12 coots for a 1.76 average. The duck bag consisted of 33 greenwing teal, 20 widgeons, eight cinnamon teal, eight pintail, five gadwall, five shovelers, two scaup, one bufflehead, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 66 hunters who shot 97 ducks and six coots for a 1.56 average. The bag included 48 cinnamon teal, 17 greenwings, 12 widgeon, six gadwall, five pintail, three ruddies, two mallards, two bufflehead, one shoveler, and one Eurasion widgeon.
10/25/00 At the SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, there were 68 hunters last Wednesday who shot 68 ducks and 12 coots for a 1.18 average. The duck bag consisted of 36 greenwing teal, eight cinnamon teal, eight shovelers, six widgeon, three redheads, two mallards, two ruddy ducks, two pintail, and one gadwall. There were 35 reservations issued and 26 showed up. On Saturday, there were 59 hunters who shot 38 ducks and four coots for a .71 average. The duck bag included 10 widgeon, seven greenwings, seven cinnamons, five shovelers, three gadwall, three pintail, two mallards, and one ruddy. There were 35 reservations issued and 12 showed up.
10/18/00 The San Jacinto Wildlife Area had their worst opening day on record. There were 105 hunters opening day who shot 110 ducks and three coots for a 1.08 average. The duck bag consisted of 48 cinnamon teal, 29 shovelers, 17 greenwing teal, five widgeon, four mallards, four pintail, one gadwall, one redhead, and one scaup. There were 35 reservations issued and 22 showed up. The top blind sites at San Jacinto did produce good shooting, however, with the A, B, C, and D blind area generally shooting pretty well in the morning. Two hunters in the B-2 site shot limits.
The SAN JACINTO WILDLIFE AREA, located in western Riverside County near Lake Perris is perhaps the second most popular hunting area next to Wister. Area manager Tom Paulek said there will be from 30 to 35 blind sites ready for opening day, including at least a couple of sites on Mystic Lake, even though the water level is falling. "Last year was the worst year in 10 years," said Paulek of the area 1.25 duck average. "The trick is keeping the birds on the area, and I don't see us doing that again this year."
Mystic Lake acts as a refuge area and birds leave the wildlife area's ponds early in the morning and raft on Mystic. However, the ponds have very good feed again this year and the birds are already showing up in good numbers. The first three shoot days of the season are always good to exceptional at the area, and the days with rain, fog or strong winds also produce well.
San Jacinto is open to waterfowl hunting through the state reservation system or a daily drawing for remaining sites (sweat line), after all reservation holders are admitted to the area. Refills are also permitted throughout the shoot day until 3:30 pm. Shoot days are Wednesday and Saturday. Check in station opens 2 hours before shoot time, about 3:30 am to 4 am depending on the day of season. 4 hunters in party allowed , 2 adults max. No camping allowed in WA but you can camp off Jack Rabbit Rd. which is just east of the San Jacinto WA. For more information, contact the wildlife area at (909) 654-0580.
Paulek wanted to remind hunters that the northern portion of
Mystic Lake will have buoys delineating the new, state-ownership line. Boat
hunters who have access to the lower portions of the lake may not hunt the
northern portion of the lake because it is now part of the wildlife area and
subject to permit-only hunting for waterfowl. The phone number is (909)
654-0580. Tom Paulek's e-mail tpaulek@dfg.ca.gov
The Colorado River Indian Tribes, (CRIT), own the 330,000 acres of property between Parker, Arizona to just north of Interstate 10 near Blythe. No state license is required, but hunters must have a seasonal permit from CRIT, which is $45. The permit allows hunters to hunt quail, ducks, and small game in season. How good does it look this year? "Absolutely fantastic!" according to Dylan Kesser, reservation biologist. Scattered storms have actually helped double the already heavy population. CRIT hunting permits are available at Woody's Gas and Snack Parker, AZ (520) 669-8792 1001 Fiesta Ave. Woody's II Poston, AZ (520) 662-4801 Mohave Rd. June's Unique Parker, AZ (520) 669-8883 813 Kofa Ave. Hidden Valley Resort Blythe, CA (760) 922-6745 100 Colorado River Rd. Lost Lake Resort Lost Lake, CA (760) 664-4413 U.S. Highway 95. Mc's Market Parker Dam, AZ (520) 667-2231 58565 Riverside Dr. River Lagoon Resort. 50078 Parker Poston Rd. Ehrenberg, AZ (520) 923-7942. Yellow Mart Blythe, CA (760) 922-4215 228 Hobson Way Water Wheel Resort Blythe, CA (760) 922-3863 29900 Hwy 95. CRIT Fish & Game Office Parker, AZ (520) 669-9285 2100 Mutahar.
Above the Colorado River Indian Tribes is the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation, extending from Needles north to the Arizona-Nevada border. This reservation has land on both sides of the river and you can obtain a hunting permit to hunt there. Ph# 520-330-3000.
Click here for weather report at Parker Dam
Click here for weather report at Chino
Gary Burke ... Canada Goose hunting on Norco/Chino Valley dairies. Ph# 1-909-736-0570. 60 acres of pasture right in an established flight path near the the State Prison in Chino. Double set of pit blinds and big spread of decoys. I've hunted next to Gary's setup, and they whack the geese consistently and early enough to catch breakfast at the Chino airport cafe.
The cities of Ontario and Chino are quickly annexing this area into their city limits so hunting geese and ducks here is short lived.
1/10/01 Scouted the prison ponds and only about 40 geese hanging out. Construction south of the ponds may be the problem.
Click here for weather report at Lake Perris
1/24/01 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters Wednesday who shot one coot for a .25 average. On Saturday, there were five hunters who shot four ruddies and two gadwall for a 1.20 average.
1/17/01 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot three ducks for a .75 average. The bag was made up of one mallard, one gadwall, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were six hunters who shot six gadwall for a 1.0 average.
1/10/01 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot a mallard and a gadwall for a .50 average. On Saturday, there were seven hunters who shot two bufflehead for a .29 average.
1/03/01 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot two gadwall and a greenwing for a .75 average. On Saturday, there were two hunters who shot a mallard and a gadwall for a 1.0 average.
12/27/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were five hunters last Wednesday who shot a gadwall and a greenwing for a .40 average. On Saturday, there were six hunters who didn’t get a bird.
12/20/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were six hunters last Wednesday who shot five ducks for a .83 average. The bag was made up of two gadwall, two greenwings, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were four hunters who didn't shoot a bird.
12/13/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were seven hunters last Wednesday who shot four gadwall and one mallard for a .71 average. On Saturday, there were five hunters who shot two mallards and two gadwall for a .80 average.
12/6/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters last Wednesday and two hunters Saturday. Not a single bird was taken either day.
11/29/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot six ducks, two mallards, one gadwall, one widgeon, one greenwing, and one goldeneye, for a .75 average. On Saturday, there were 15 hunters who shot a mallard and a gadwall for a .13 average.
11/22/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were four hunters last Wednesday who didn't shoot a bird. On Saturday, there were eight hunters who shot two mallards for a .25 average.
11/15/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were two hunters last Wednesday who shot 14 ducks, two limits, for a 7.0 average. The bag included 12 gadwall and two greenwing teal. On Saturday, there were five hunters who shot five ducks for a 1.0 average. The bag consisted of four gadwall and one mallard.
11/8/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there were five hunters last Wednesday who shot six ducks for a 1.20 average. The bag included two mallards, two gadwall, one greenwing, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were nine hunters who shot 12 ducks for a 1.33 average. The bag consisted of 11 greenwings, six mallards, three gadwall and one pintail.
11/1/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there was one hunter last Wednesday who shot a mallard and a widgeon for a 2.0 average. On Saturday, there were seven hunters who shot two mallards, two gadwall, and two widgeon for a .85 average.
10/25/00 At LAKE PERRIS STATE RECREATION AREA, there was one hunter last Wednesday who didn't shoot a duck. On Saturday, there were seven hunters who shot three gadwall for a .43 average.
10/18/00 Lake Perris had their worst opening day on record. Perris' low water level had birds out of the flooded timber in the east end and they rafted up on the open water after the first shots were fired. There were 25 hunters on opening Saturday who shot 13 ducks for a .52 average. The bag consisted of 10 mallards, one widgeon, one greenwing teal, and one cinnamon teal.
LAKE PERRIS is a sleeper spot for hunters in western Riverside County. Hunters are allowed to hunt until noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Only hunters with boats and motors can hunt the area, and the check-in station is at parking lots 11 and 12 at the jet ski launch ramp inside the state recreation area. (Until last year, the hunt was run out of Bernasconi Beach). Throughout the early part of the season, Perris is a very productive spot for mallards. Hunting in the flooded willow trees in the east end can make this reminiscent of hunting timber mallards in Arkansas. Good callers are often very successful here.
Perris is open on a first-come, first-serve basis each shoot
day and its blind site quota never filled last year, even on opening day. You
must have your own boat to launch to reach the blind sites across the lake.
Check in is 5 a.m. and access to this area is only through the Via Del Lago
Lake Perris entry gate. No hunters allowed in after 6:30 am day of shoot.
To reach this park entrance, take Moreno Beach Drive south off Interstate
60 and travel three miles to Via Del Lago, turn left and go a half-mile to
the state park entrance. The check station is one-half mile past the gate
inside the Lots 11 and 12 parking area at the launch ramp. 15 hunt blinds
with 2 hunters per blind. You must bring your own blind material and there
is no shore hunting. For more information, contact the San Jacinto Wildlife
Area at (909) 654-0580.
Click here for weather report at Bishop
Check out the old channel of the Owens River from the inlet at Owens Lake north to Independence. There are ponds and potholes where you can find mallards, greenwing teal and gadwall. Jump shooting is the ticket here. Crowley Lake, Tinnemaha Reservoir and Bridgeport Reservoir offer tube and boat hunters some good gunning. The lakes usually freeze up by mid December. Mono Lake and Basin is another place to try.
1/10/01 Teal and cold temps are the word from the valley last week.
Click
here for weather at Big Bear City
Baldwin Lake will not be open to waterfowl hunting on opening day this year, due to lack of water. Rumor is there is some planning for a permanent water source to keep Baldwin Lake wet with water. Baldwin, should it get water before the end of the season, will be open to hunters with hand-launchable boats on Wednesday and Saturday schedule. For information on hunting Baldwin, contact the DFG office in Long Beach at (562) 590-5158. Latest hunt info contact Chuck Fowler at Big Bear Sporting Goods 1-909-866-3222.
Currently, hunters must drag or carry their boats about 150 yards from the main parking area to water. The parking lot is on the northeast shore of the lake, just off to the right from Highway 18. You must shoot from your boat, so be careful, as the wardens like to watch from afar. There is some cover along the levees, but not much, so bring some camo to hide the boat. Also, there are some blinds in the middle of the lake, but the guys who built them will put up a good fight if you're in them first.
Click here for weather report at Norco
1/31/01 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, 23 junior hunters Saturday shot 63 ducks, including six limits, for a 2.74 average.
1/24/01 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, hunting took place every day the last week of the season. Over the seven days from Monday through Sunday, there were a total of 119 hunters who shot 207 ducks, 13 coots, and one Canada goose for a 1.86 average. The bag consisted of 69 cinnamon teal, 45 greenwings, 34 widgeon, 18 gadwall, 14 pintail, 12 mallards, nine shovelers, five wood ducks, three canvasback, one ruddy, and one bluewing teal.
1/17/01 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 27 hunters last Wednesday who shot 21 ducks and six coots for a 1.00 average. The duck bag consisted of six widgeon, three greenwings, three cinnamons, three mallards, two gadwall, two redheads, one bufflehead, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 23 hunters who shot 108 ducks and nine coots for a 5.09 average. The duck bag consisted of 30 cinnamon teal, 26 greenwing teal, 22 widgeon, 10 shovelers, six mallards, four bufflehead, three gadwall, three pintail, three bluewing teal, and one wood duck. On Sunday, there were 20 hunters who shot 52 ducks for a 2.60 average. The duck bag consisted of 24 cinnamon teal, 15 greenwings, four widgeon, four mallards, two gadwall, two pintail, and one bufflehead.
1/10/01 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 13 hunters last Wednesday who shot 29 ducks, one Canada goose, and three coots for a 2.54 average. The duck bag consisted of nine widgeon, five greenwings, four shovelers, three gadwall, three pintail, two redheads, two canvasback, and one wood duck. On Saturday, there were 26 hunters who shot 24 ducks and six coots for a 1.15 average. The duck bag included five greenwings, five cinnamons, three mallards, three pintail, three bufflehead, two shovelers, two ringneck, and one widgeon. On Sunday, there were nine hunters who shot 20 ducks and three coots for a 2.56 average. The duck bag consisted of five widgeon, four greenwings, four gadwall, three cinnamons, three pintail and one canvasback.
1/03/01 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 20 hunters last Wednesday who shot 26 ducks and three coots for a 1.45 average. The duck bag consisted of five greenwings, five cinnamons, four wood ducks, three ringnecks, two gadwall, two mallards, one widgeon, one pintail, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 11 hunters who shot 12 ducks, a Canada goose, and a coot for a 1.27 average. The duck bag included five greenwings, three pintail, two canvasback and two mallards. On Sunday, there were 12 hunters who shot 22 ducks and four coots for a 2.17 average. The bag was made up of five widgeon, four greenwings, three cinnamons, three pintail, two shovelers, two gadwall, two canvasback, and one mallard.
12/27/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 77 hunters this past week who shot 156 ducks, 19 coots, and one Canada goose for a 2.29 average. The bag was made up of 41 widgeon, 23 greenwings, 22 cinnamons, 15 gadwall, 15 mallards, 15 pintail, 11 shovelers, 10 canvasback, two wood ducks, one ruddy, and one ringneck. Raahauge’s also hunted Christmas Day this week.
12/20/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 31 hunters last Wednesday who shot 64 ducks and a coot for a 2.10 average. The bag consisted of 13 gadwall, 11 widgeon, 10 cinnamons, seven mallards, six shovelers, six redhead, four ruddies, four pintail, one greenwing, and one wood duck. On Saturday, there were 29 hunters who shot 71 ducks and eight coots for a 2.69 average. The duck kill included 20 widgeon, 15 cinnamon teal, 11 greenwings, six mallards, five shovelers, four gadwall, four pintail, three ringnecks, two canvasback, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 10 hunters who shot 12 ducks and four coots for a 1.60 average. The bag consisted of four widgeon, three mallards, three canvasback, one gadwall, and one pintail.
12/13/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 18 hunters last Wednesday who shot 33 ducks and two coots, including two limits, for a 1.94 average The duck bag consisted of eight widgeon, five cinnamon teal, five pintail, three greenwings, three ruddies, three mallards, three ringnecks, two shovelers, and one wood duck. On Saturday, there were 26 hunters who shot 84 ducks and three coots, including 12 limits, for a 3.35 average. The bag included 17 widgeon, 15 shovelers, 11 ruddies, 11 pintail, 10 cinnamons, nine greenwings, seven mallards, two gadwall, one wood duck and one canvasback. On Sunday, there were 16 hunters who shot 27 ducks and six coots, including four limits, for a 2.06 average. The bag consisted of six cinnamons, five mallards, four shovelers, three widgeon, three ruddies, three pintail, two gadwall, and one canvasback.
12/6/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 19 hunters last Wednesday who shot 29 ducks and three coots for a 1.68 average. The duck bag consisted of nine widgeon, four mallards, four gadwall, three cinnamons, three canvasback, two shovelers, two ringnecks, one pintail, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 29 hunters who shot 44 ducks, six coots, and one Canada goose for a 1.76 average. The duck bag included 11 cinnamons, 10 widgeon, nine mallards, five pintail, four greenwings, two gadwall, two mergansers, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 23 hunters who shot 27 ducks and three coots for a 1.11 average. The duck bag consisted of five shovelers, five widgeon, three greenwings, three cinnamons, three gadwall, three mallards, three canvasback, two ruddies, and one pintail.
11/29/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 26 hunters last Wednesday who shot 43 ducks and 13 coots for a 2.15 average. The duck bag consisted of 12 widgeon, seven gadwall, six pintail, five mallards, three shovelers, three ruddies, two greenwings, two redheads, two scaup, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 27 hunters who shot 47 ducks, nine coots, and one Canada goose for a 2.11 average. The duck bag included 11 widgeon, eight cinnamons, five shovelers, five mallards, five canvasback, four ruddies, four pintail, three gadwall, one greenwing, and one scaup. On Sunday, there were 14 hunters who shot 25 ducks and five coots for a 2.14 average. The duck bag consisted of four greenwing, four cinnamons, four mallards, three pintail, three canvasback, two widgeon, two gadwall, one shoveler, one ruddy, and one redhead.
11/22/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 30 hunters last Wednesday who shot 34 ducks and six coots for a 1.33 average. The duck bag consisted of eight widgeon, seven cinnamon teal, five mallards, three bufflehead, two gadwall, two ruddy ducks, two greenwings, two pintail, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 27 hunters who shot 36 ducks, four coots, and one Canada goose for a 1.52 average. The duck bag consisted of 10 widgeon, eight cinnamons, six mallards, four gadwall, three shovelers, one greenwing, one ruddy, one pintail, one ringneck, and one canvasback. On Sunday, there 21 hunters who shot 45 ducks, 13 coots, and one Canada goose for a 2.81 average. The duck bag consisted of 12 pintail, seven cinnamons, seven mallards, six gadwall, five widgeon, four shovelers, three ruddies, and one greenwing.
11/15/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 41 hunters last Wednesday who shot 29 ducks and 12 coots for a 1.00 average. The bag consisted of eight cinnamon teal, seven widgeon, four mallards, three gadwall, two shovelers, one greenwing, one pintail, one redhead, one merganser, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 46 hunters who shot 32 ducks and eight coots for a .87 average. The duck bag included 11 cinnamons, six shovelers, four widgeon, three mallards, three bufflehead, two gadwall, one greenwing, one ruddy, and one pintail. On Sunday, there were 22 hunters who shot 20 ducks and 10 coots for a 1.36 average. The duck bag consisted of six cinnamon, three shovelers, three widgeon, three mallards, two gadwall, one greenwing, one ruddy, and one pintail.
11/8/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 31 hunters last Wednesday who shot 29 ducks and eight coots for a 1.19 average. The bag consisted of eight mallards, eight cinnamon teal, five greenwing teal, four widgeon, three pintail and one gadwall. On Saturday, there were 39 hunters who shot 55 ducks and 10 coots for a 1.67 average. The bag included 21 widgeon, 14 mallards, 11 shovelers, five pintail, one greenwing, one gadwall, and one ruddy duck. On Sunday, there were 31 hunters who shot 45 ducks and seven coots for a 1.68 average. The bag consisted of 14 widgeon, 12 cinnamon teal, seven mallards, six shovelers, three gadwall, two ruddies, and one pintail.
11/1/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 20 hunters last Wednesday who shot 39 ducks and three coots for a 2.10 average. The bag included 16 cinnamon teal, six shovelers, five mallards, five widgeon, three gadwall, two pintail, and two ruddies. On Saturday, there were 37 hunters who shot 83 ducks and six coots for a 2.41 average. The duck bag consisted of 22 cinnamon teal, 16 widgeon, 12 mallards, 12 ruddy ducks, six gadwall, five shovelers, four pintail, two bufflehead, two redheads, and two wood ducks. On Sunday, there were 23 hunters who shot 49 ducks and four coots for a 2.30 average. The bag consisted of 12 cinnamon teal, nine widgeon, eight shovelers, six mallards, four ruddies, three pintail, two gadwall, two ringnecks, two widgeon, two wood ducks, and one redhead.
10/25/00 At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there were 21 hunters last Wednesday who shot 59 ducks and six coots for a 3.10 average. The bag included 11 cinnamon teal, eight greenwings, five mallards, four widgeon, four shovelers, three gadwall, one pintail, one ringneck, and one wood duck. On Saturday, there were 38 hunters who shot 77 ducks, three coots, and a Canada goose for a 2.13 average. The duck bag consisted of 19 cinnamon teal, 16 greenwings, 11 widgeon, six gadwall, six mallards, six pintail, four ruddies, three shovelers, two bufflehead, two ringneck, and two wood ducks. On Sunday, there were 28 hunters who shot 51 ducks and five coots for a 2.00 average. The bag consisted of 14 cinnamon teal, 10 widgeon, seven gadwall, six greenwings, six mallards, four pintail, three ringnecks, two bufflehead, and two wood ducks.
10/18/00 There were 37 hunters opening Saturday who shot 244 ducks for a 6.59 average. The bag was made up of 118 cinnamon teal, 49 greenwing teal, 45 mallards, 17 widgeon, eight wood ducks, eight bluewing teal, five shovelers, and two pintail. On Sunday, there were 20 hunters who shot 77 ducks and a coot for a 3.85 average. The bag consisted of 24 cinnamons, 22 greenwings, 17 mallards, six widgeon, four pintail, one shoveler, one ruddy, and one redhead.
At RAAHAUGE'S DUCK CLUB in PRADO BASIN, there are a minimum of 15 blinds open daily to public hunters on this club. The 2000 fee is $125 for a two-person blind. To encourage hunters to bring juniors, hunters with a junior hunting license can hunt free on these sites when accompanied by a paying adult, who has to shell out only $50. All of the duck ponds are already being flooded, according to Mike Raahauge, and birds are already showing in the area. Raahauge's, because of an extensive nesting box program run by the California Waterfowl Association and Southern California Ducks, is one of the best areas in the state to shoot a wood duck. Shoot days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. All reservations are already filled for opening weekend, but there are openings for all other dates. For more information, call the club at (909) 735-7981 or check the club's web site at Raahauge's.
Click here for map of
Wister unit of Imperial WA
Click here for weather report in Niland
1/31/01 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 45 junior hunters Saturday who shot 80 ducks, 43 snow geese, one whitefront goose, and one Ross' goose for a 2.78 average. The duck bag consisted of 31 shovelers, 23 greenwings, 11 pintail, six cinnamons, five gadwall, three goldeneye, and one canvasback. No Sunday results available.
1/24/01 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 135 hunters last Wednesday who shot 267 ducks, 60 snow geese and one Ross' goose for a 2.43 average. The duck bag included 104 greenwings, 100 shovelers, 28 pintail, 11 gadwall, nine widgeon, nine cinnamons, three bufflehead, two goldeneye, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 308 hunter who shot 389 ducks and 44 snow geese for a 1.41 average. The duck kill consisted of 207 cinnamons, 64 shovelers, 61 redheads, 29 greenwings, six pintail, six widgeon, five ruddies, four goldeneye, three gadwall, two scaup, and two bufflehead. On Sunday, there were 190 hunters who shot 104 ducks and 81 snow geese for a .97 average. The duck bag included 41 greenwings, 29 cinnamons, 15 shovelers, eight pintail, four gadwall, three wigeon, two goldeneye, one scaup and one ruddy. There is a youth waterfowl hunting Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
1/17/01 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 174 hunters last Wednesday who shot 155 ducks and nine snow geese for a .94 average. The duck kill included 55 shovelers, 52 greenwings, 18 pintail, eight gadwall, eight cinnamons, four mallards, four widgeon, four scaup, and two ruddies. On Saturday, there were 280 hunters who shot 217 ducks, 42 snow geese, and one Ross' goose for a .93 average. The duck bag consisted of 77 greenwings, 52 shovelers, 31 cinnamons, 18 gadwall, 16 pintail, nine mallards, six widgeon, three bufflehead, three ruddies, one ringneck, and one goldeneye. On Sunday, there were 134 hunters who shot 42 ducks and 56 snow geese for a .73 average. The duck bag included 14 greenwings, nine cinnamons, eight shovelers, four pintail, three mallards, three gadwall, and one bufflehead.
1/10/01 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 132 hunters last Wednesday who shot 198 ducks and 62 snow geese for a 1.97 average. The duck kill included 71 greenwings, 69 shovelers, 33 pintail, 13 gadwall, four widgeon, three ruddies, two cinnamons, one mallard, one scaup, and one merganser. On Saturday, there were 281 hunters who shot 176 ducks, 80 snow geese and a Ross goose for a .91 average. The duck bag included 76 greenwings, 38 shovelers, 21 pintail, 18 cinnamons, six widgeon, six gadwall, four ruddies, three bufflehead, two mallards, one scaup, and one goldeneye. On Sunday, there were 164 hunters who shot 54 ducks and 25 snow geese for a .48 average. The duck bag consisted of 27 greenwings, 11 shovelers, eight cinnamons, four pintail, two gadwall, one redhead, and one scaup.
1/03/01 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 197 hunters last Wednesday who shot 208 ducks and 110 snow geese for a 1.61 average. The duck bag consisted of 101 greenwings, 68 shovelers, 21 pintail, six gadwall, five cinnamon teal, three goldeneye, two mallards, and two widgeon. On Saturday, there were 260 hunters who shot 303 ducks, 66 snow geese and a Canada goose for a 1.42 average. The duck bag included 161 greenwings, 67 shovelers, 42 pintail, 11 cinnamons, nine widgeon, seven gadwall, three mallards, one redhead, one scaup, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 125 hunters who shot 41 ducks and 53 snow geese for a .75 average. The duck bag was made up of 17 greenwings, nine pintail, seven shovelers, three gadwall, two mallards, two cinnamons, and one widgeon.
12/27/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 123 hunters last Wednesday who shot 122 ducks, 46 snow geese and two Ross’ geese for a 1.38 average. The duck bag included 34 shovelers, 33 greenwings, 19 pintail, 13 widgeon, eight cinnamons, seven gadwall, four mallards, and four scaup. On Saturday, there were 167 hunters who shot 218 ducks, 40 snow geese, three Canada geese, and a Ross’ goose for a 1.57 average. The duck bag consisted of 63 greenwings, 63 shovelers, 31 pintail, 23 widgeon, 16 cinnamons, nine gadwall, seven mallards, two redheads, two bufflehead, one scaup, and one goldeneye. On Sunday, there were 54 hunter who shot 40 ducks, 29 snow geese, and three Ross’ geese for a 1.33 average. The duck bag included 13 greenwings, 10 shovelers, eight pintail, five cinnamons, three gadwall, and one widgeon.
12/20/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 169 hunters last Wednesday who shot 91 ducks, 21 snow geese and three Ross' geese for a .68 average. The duck bag included 32 pintail, 20 greenwings, 12 cinnamon teal, 10 widgeon, nine mallards, three gadwall, two shovelers, two bufflehead, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 196 hunters who shot 129 ducks, 19 snow geese, two Ross' geese, and two Canada geese for a .78 average. The duck bag consisted of 41 greenwings, 36 pintail, 18 shovelers, 12 widgeon, nine cinnamons, eight gadwall, one mallard, one canvasback, one ringneck, one bufflehead, and one wood duck. On Sunday, there were 95 hunters who shot 19 ducks, 11 snow geese, and two Canada geese for a .34 average. The bag included 10 pintail, four greenwings, three shovelers, one widgeon, and one bufflehead.
12/13/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 144 hunters last Wednesday who shot 105 ducks, 38 snow geese, and two Ross' geese for a 1.01 average. The duck bag consisted of 35 pintail, 32 greenwings, 10 cinnamons, nine mallards, eight widgeon, six shovelers, four gadwall, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were 264 hunters who shot 99 ducks and 45 snow geese for a .55 average. The duck bag included 36 greenwings, 34 pintail, 10 widgeon, six gadwall, six cinnamons, two shovelers, one mallards, one canvasback, one bufflehead, one goldeneye, and one ruddy. On Sunday, 110 hunters shot 17 ducks and 11 snow geese for a .26 average. The duck kill was made up of four pintail, three mallards, three cinnamons, two widgeon, two greenwings, two shovelers, and one gadwall.
12/6/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 156 hunters last Wednesday who shot 145 ducks, 89 snow geese and three Ross' geese for a 1.52 average. The duck bag included 65 pintail, 22 greenwings, 18 shovelers, 14 gadwall, 10 widgeon, nine cinnamons, four ruddies, and three mallards. On Saturday, there were 256 hunters who shot 167 ducks, 42 snow geese, eight Ross' geese and two Canada geese for a .77 average. The duck bag consisted of 47 greenwings, 41 pintail, 26 cinnamons, 17 widgeon, 17 shovelers, nine gadwall, five mallards, three bufflehead, one redhead, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 157 hunters who shot 48 ducks, 42 snow geese, one Ross' goose, and one Canada goose for a .59 average. The duck bag included 15 pintail, eight cinnamons, six ruddies, five greenwings, five shovelers, four widgeon, three gadwall, and two mallards. Wister is open to waterfowl hunting through the state reservation system and a daily drawing for sites after all reservation holders are admitted to the area. Refills are permitted. Shoot days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. There were also two pheasant hunts this past week. On Monday, 20 hunters shot 12 snipe, 11 pheasants, and four quail. On Thursday, there were 11 hunters who shot two pheasants, two snipe and one quail.
11/29/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 190 hunters last Wednesday who shot 284 ducks, 54 snow geese, four Ross’ geese, and one blue goose for a 1.81 average. The duck bag consisted of 81 shovelers, 63 greenwings, 55 widgeon, 46 pintail, 15 cinnamons, 13 gadwall, six mallards, one canvasback, one scaup, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were 320 hunters who shot 367 ducks, 89 snow geese, two Canada geese, and one Ross’ goose for a 1.43 average. The duck bag included 116 greenwings, 80 shovelers, 71 pintail, 33 cinnamons, 32 widgeon, 17 gadwall, seven ruddies, six mallards, two scaup, two bufflehead, and one ringneck. On Sunday, there were 129 hunters who shot 57 ducks, 39 snow geese, two whitefronts, and one Ross’ goose for a .77 average. The duck bag included 22 pintail, 12 greenwings, 11 shovelers, four gadwall, four widgeon, three cinnamons, and one mallard.
11/22/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 141 hunters last Wednesday who shot 228 ducks, 43 snow geese and five Ross geese for a 1.96 average. The duck bag included 77 shovelers, 49 widgeon, 39 pintail, 24 greenwings, 18 gadwall, 11 cinnamon teal, five mallards, three ruddies, one scaup and one hooded merganser. On Saturday, there were 254 hunters who shot 399 ducks, 48 snow geese, six Ross' geese, and one Canada goose for a 1.79 average. The duck bag consisted of 171 shovelers, 57 widgeon, 53 greenwings, 40 pintail, 33 cinnamons, 28 gadwall, nine mallards, four ruddies, two redheads, one scaup and one bufflehead. On Sunday, there were 160 hunters who shot 77 ducks, 53 snow geese and five Ross geese for a .84 average. The duck bag included 30 shovelers, 18 greenwings, 10 pintail, nine widgeon, six cinnamons, two gadwall, one mallard, and one ringneck.
11/15/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 93 hunters last Wednesday who shot 241 ducks, seven snow geese, one Ross' goose, and one Canada goose for a 2.69 average. The duck bag consisted of 81 shovelers, 60 greenwings, 42 widgeon, 35 pintail, nine gadwall, eight mallards, two ringnecks, two cinnamons, one redhead, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 276 hunters who shot 539 ducks, 21 snow geese, and 10 Ross' geese. The duck bag included 143 shovelers, 122 greenwings, 105 widgeon, 74 pintail, 41 cinnamons, 21 bluebill, 18 gadwall, seven mallards, three ringnecks, two ruddies, two bufflehead, and one canvasback. On Sunday, there were 143 hunters who shot 115 ducks, 28 snow geese, eight Ross' geese, and two Canada geese for a 1.07 average. The duck bag included 48 shovelers, 19 pintail, 15 greenwings, 12 widgeon, seven mallards, seven gadwall, five cinnamons, and two ruddies.
11/8/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 80 hunters last Wednesday who shot 169 ducks, a snow goose and a Ross goose for a 2.14 average. The duck bag included 76 greenwing teal, 38 shovelers, 34 pintail, 11 cinnamon teal, four gadwall, four widgeon, one ringneck, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 221 hunters who shot 424 ducks and 14 snow geese for a 1.98 average. The duck bag consisted of 153 greenwings, 93 shovelers, 80 pintail, 37 widgeon, 33 cinnamons, 11 mallards, 10 gadwall, four redheads, and three ruddies. On Sunday, there were 129 hunters who shot 50 ducks and five snow geese for a .43 average. The duck bag included 14 greenwings, 11 widgeon, 10 pintail, nine shovelers, three cinnamons, two ruddies, and one gadwall.
11/1/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 89 hunters last Wednesday who shot 151 ducks and three snow geese for a 1.73 average. The duck bag included 77 greenwing teal, 30 pintail, 11 cinnamons, 11 shovelers, nine widgeon, six mallards, four gadwall, two ringnecks, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 154 hunters who shot 234 ducks and five snow geese for a 1.55 average. The duck bag consisted of 87 greenwings, 52 pintail, 33 shovelers, 31 cinnamons, 16 widgeon, six ruddies, five gadwall, two mallards, and two redheads. On Sunday, there were 96 hunters who shot 51 ducks and five snow geese for a .58 average. The duck harvest included 19 pintail, 18 greenwings, eight shovelers, three widgeon, two cinnamons, and one redhead.
10/25/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 85 hunters last Wednesday who shot 152 ducks for a 1.79 average. The bag included 59 greenwing teal, 41 pintail, 27 cinnamon teal, nine shovelers, seven mallards, six widgeon, two ringnecks, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 197 hunters who shot 370 ducks for a 1.88 average. The bag included 211 greenwing teal, 61 pintail, 51 cinnamon teal, 18 widgeon, nine gadwall, six mallards, five shovelers, five ringnecks, three redheads, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 83 hunters who shot 109 ducks for a 1.31 average. The bag consisted of 41 greenwing teal, 22 pintail, 17 cinnamons, seven shovelers, five redheads, five gadwall, four widgeon, three mallards, two canvasback, two ringnecks, and one scaup.
10/18/00 At the WISTER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Salton Sea, there were 490 hunters opening Saturday and they shot 1,590 ducks for a 3.24 birds-per-hunter average. The bag consisted of 809 greenwing teal, 454 cinnamon teal, 133 pintail, 106 mallards, 33 shovelers, 32 widgeon, 17 gadwall, three redheads, one ringneck, one scaup, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 230 hunters who shot 312 ducks for a 1.35 average. The bag consisted of 145 greenwings, 80 cinnamons, 33 pintail, 32 shovelers, 14 mallards, six widgeon, one gadwall, and one redhead.
Check in time is 3 am. Hunters without reservations can register at 10:30 pm the night before the shoot day, to get in the "sweat line" for any vacancies. There is primitive camping available near the check in station if you get a daily use permit. Motel lodging in nearby city of Niland, 4 miles from check in station. Duck cleaning facility available at check in station. Hunt party limit is 6, with 4 adults max.
Area manager Pam Cherny said she though that around 100 sites would be ready on Wister for opening day this year. She and her staff have been doing an extensive amount of work on the area.
Units Y15A and Y15B have been reworked extensively with massive salt cedar removal. The ponds also are producing a large amount of swamp timothy, which will attract ducks in big numbers. "They should shoot really well this year, though there won't be very much cover on the dikes," said Cherny. Just a partial list of other works done this year includes: Unit 514A has been reworked again to have water grass and green feed. Unit 515B has reworked fields broken into four cells. Unit 515c had one of its ponds reworked. Unit 513A had extensive cattail control to open it up for birds (and hunters). Units 312A has watergrass and units 312B and C had extensive cattail removal. Unit 115A has watergrass and 115B has new channels. Unit 15A has two green feed cells and it is adjacent to Y14 (a closed zone) that also has green feed this year. U10 and T10 also have green feed this year.
Cherny said they are leaving more nesting cover for resident
ducks and pheasants on the better units (with good soils and more fresh water)
that will continue to improve the area for birds. She said they were in the
process of flooding up 14 fields and filling ponds, and she expects a good
opener. "I flew just before the opener last year and there were 10,000
birds using the area. I expect it to be as good this year," said Cherny.
Wister and the Hazard Unit (Union Tract) of the federal refuge are open to
waterfowl hunting through the state reservation system and a daily drawing
(sweat line), for sites after all reservation holders are admitted to the
area. Refills are permitted. Shoot days are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
The state manages the waterfowl hunting program for the federal refuge. For
more information, contact the unit at (760) 359-0577. Manager Pam Churny's
e-mail is imperialwla@dfg2.ca.gov
Click
here for weather report in Niland
Click for map of Hazard and Union units of the Sonny Bono - Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
Click for map of Hazard unit hunting and parking layout
Click for map of Sonny Bono - Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
1/31/01 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 10 junior hunters who shot 17 ducks and two Ross' geese for a 1.90 average. The duck bag included eight shovelers, two greenwings, two cinnamons, two canvasback, two scaup, and one pintail.
1/24/01 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 25 hunters last Wednesday who shot 62 ducks, three Ross geese and two snow geese for a 2.68 average. The duck bag included 30 shovelers, 20 greenwings, three pintail, three gadwall, two canvasback, two scaup, one widgeon, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 58 hunters who shot 109 ducks, 12 snow geese, and six Ross' geese for a 2.19 average. The duck bag consisted of 52 greenwings, 22 shovelers, 10 scaup, nine cinnamons, eight pintail, four canvasback, two widgeon, one gadwall, and one goldeneye. On Sunday, there were 42 hunters who shot 39 ducks, seven show geese, and seven Ross' geese for a 1.25 average. The duck kill included nine greenwings, five pintail, five shovelers, five scaup, four cinnamons, four ruddies, two wigeon, two canvasback, one mallard, one gadwall, and one goldeneye. There is a youth waterfowl hunting Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
1/17/01 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 41 hunters last Wednesday who shot 84 ducks, two snow geese and one Ross' goose for a 2.17 average. The duck bag consisted of 40 shovelers, 29 greenwings, five cinnamons, three pintail, three canvasback, three scaup, two ruddies and one mallards. On Saturday, there were 52 hunters who shot 83 ducks, six snow geese, and a Ross' goose for a 1.73 average. The duck bag included 34 shovelers, 20 greenwings, eight canvasback, four pintail, three mallards, three gadwall, three widgeon, three cinnamons, three scaup, one bufflehead, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 33 hunters who shot 29 ducks for a .88 average. The bag consisted of 14 greenwings, five cinnamons, four redheads, three pintail, two widgeon, and one shoveler.
1/10/01 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 29 hunters last Wednesday who shot 73 ducks, six Ross' geese and two snow geese for a 2.79 average. The duck bag consisted of 27 shovelers, 17 greenwings, 11 canvasback, nine pintail, five scaup, two cinnamons, one gadwall, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 48 hunters who shot 60 ducks, two snow geese, and one Ross' goose for a 1.31 average. The duck bag was made up of 27 greenwings, 17 shovelers, five pintail, three cinnamons, three bufflehead, one widgeon, one canvasback, one ringneck, one scaup, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 21 hunters who shot 37 ducks and one snow goose for a 1.81 average. The duck kill included 13 greenwings, 12 shovelers, four pintail, three scaup, two cinnamons, one mallard, one widgeon, and one canvasback.
1/03/01 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 35 hunters last Wednesday who shot 91 ducks, three snow geese and two Ross' geese for a 2.74 average. The duck kill included 36 shovelers, 26 greenwings, seven pintail, six canvasback, five scaup, four widgeon, three cinnamons, two ruddies, one mallard, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 38 hunters who shot 72 ducks, two snow geese and one Ross' goose for a 1.97 average. The duck bag included 34 greenwings, 21 shovelers, six canvasback, three pintail, two mallards, two gadwall, two widgeon, one cinnamon, and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 14 hunters who shot 24 ducks and three snow geese for a 1.93 average. The duck bag consisted of 15 greenwings, three canvasback, two pintail, one mallard, one gadwall, one cinnamon, and one shoveler.
12/27/00 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 11 hunters last Wednesday who shot 25 ducks, 13 Ross’ geese, and four snow geese for a 3.82 average. The duck bag consisted 12 greenwing teal, five shovelers, five canvasback, two pintail, and one bufflehead. On Saturday, there were 32 hunters who shot 68 ducks, four snow geese, and one Ross’ goose, for a 2.28 average. The duck bag included 28 greenwing, 14 canvasback, 10 shovelers, six cinnamons, three widgeon, three ruddies, one mallards, one gadwall, one pintail, and one bufflehead. On Sunday, there were seven hunters who shot eight ducks and one snow goose for a 1.29 average. The duck bag consisted of seven greenwings and one widgeon.
12/20/00 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 15 hunters last Wednesday who shot 10 ducks for a .67 average. The bag consisted of three pintail, two gadwall, one greenwing, one cinnamon, one shoveler, on scaup, and one ruddy. On Saturday, there were 22 hunters who shot seven duck and one snow goose for a .36 average. The duck bag included two shovelers, one pintail, one greenwing, one canvasback, one scaup and one bufflehead. On Sunday, there were 19 hunters who shot six ducks and one Ross' goose for a .37 average. The duck bag included three pintail, two canvasback and one mallard.
12/13/00 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 14 hunters last Wednesday who shot nine ducks, two snow geese, and one Ross' goose for a .86 average. The duck bag was made up of four shovelers and one each on the widgeon, pintail, greenwings, canvasback and scaup. On Saturday, there were 25 hunters who shot 16 ducks, four snow geese, and four Ross' geese for a .96 average. The duck bag included six cinnamons, four shovelers, three greenwings, one canvasback, one scaup and one ruddy. On Sunday, there were 11 hunters who shot no birds.
12/6/00 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 14 hunters last Wednesday who shot 14 ducks and two snow geese for a 1.14 average. The duck bag consisted of 11 greenwings, one gadwall, one pintail, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 23 hunters who shot four ducks and two snow geese for a .26 average. The duck bag was two shovelers, one greenwing, and one pintail. On Sunday, 10 hunters shot one shot goose for a .10 average.
11/29/00 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 18 hunters last Wednesday who shot 18 ducks and one snow goose for a 1.06 average. The duck bag consisted of seven greenwings, four shovelers, three canvasback, two cinnamons, one widgeon, and one scaup. On Saturday, there were 37 hunters who shot 59 ducks and six snow geese for a 1.76 average. The duck bag included 27 shovelers, seven greenwings, six widgeon, four gadwall, four cinnamons, three canvasback, three bufflehead, two pintail, and one redhead. On Sunday, there were 20 hunters who shot 11 ducks and six snow geese for a .85 average. The duck kill was made up of four greenwings, three canvasback one gadwall, one pintail, one cinnamon, and one shoveler.
11/22/00 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 24 hunters last Wednesday who shot 17 ducks, one snow goose and one Ross goose for a .79 average. The duck bag included five shovelers, three gadwall, three greenwings, two mallards, two ruddies, one canvasback and one surf scoter. On Saturday, there were 23 hunters who shot 42 ducks, eight Ross' geese and two snow geese for a 2.26 average. The duck bag included 24 shovelers, nine greenwings, three canvasback, one mallard, one gadwall, one widgeon, one cinnamon, one scaup and one bufflehead. On Sunday, there were 18 hunters who shot 15 ducks and one snow goose for a .89 average. The duck bag consisted of four ruddies, three mallards, two greenwings, two canvasback, one pintail, one widgeon, one cinnamon, and one shoveler.
11/15/00 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were five hunters last Wednesday who shot six ducks for a 1.20 average. The bag included two shovelers, two cinnamons, one mallard, and one greenwing. On Saturday, there were 31 hunters who shot 41 ducks, 27 Ross' geese, and four snow geese for a 2.32 average. The duck bag consisted of 25 shovelers, seven greenwings, four widgeon, two pintail, two cinnamons, and one gadwall. On Sunday, there were 28 hunters who shot seven ducks, 11 Ross' geese, four snow geese, and one Canada goose for a .82 average. The duck bag included three shovelers, two cinnamons, and one greenwing.
11/8/00 At the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 13 hunters last Wednesday who shot 24 ducks for a 1.85 average. The bag included 16 shovelers, three greenwings, two cinnamons, one mallard, one pintail, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 21 hunters who shot 39 ducks and three snow geese for a 2.00 average. The duck bag consisted of 12 greenwings, 12 shovelers, four pintail, four cinnamon teal, three gadwall, one widgeon, and one ringneck. On Sunday, there were 17 hunters who shot 10 ducks for a .59 average. The bag included four greenwings, two cinnamons, two shovelers, one pintail, and one canvasback.
11/1/00 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were nine hunters last Wednesday who shot eight ducks and one snow goose for a .82 average. The duck bag included five greenwings, two ruddies, and a cinnamon teal. On Saturday, there were 17 hunters who shot 33 ducks, a snow goose, and the first Ross goose of the season for a 2.06 average. The duck bag consisted of 13 greenwings, 10 shovelers, six pintail, one mallard, one gadwall, one widgeon, and one cinnamon teal. On Sunday, there were seven hunters who shot six ducks for a .75 average. The bag was made up of three cinnamons, one greenwing, one redhead, and one ruddy.
10/25/00 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot 14 ducks for a 3.50 average. The bag consisted of eight greenwing teal, two cinnamon teal, two shovelers, one pintail, and one mallard. On Saturday, there were 17 hunters who shot 27 ducks for a 1.50 average. On Sunday, the first snow goose of the season was taken, along with 10 ducks by the four hunters on the unit for a 2.75 average. The duck bag consisted of five ruddies, two mallards, two pintail, and one greenwing.
10/18/00 At the HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE there were 55 hunters opening Saturday who shot 200 ducks for a 3.64 average. The bag consisted of 82 greenwings, 65 cinnamons, 22 mallards, 11 pintail, 11 shovelers, five redheads, two gadwall, and two ruddies. On Sunday, there were 16 hunters who shot 19 ducks for a 1.19 average. The bag was composed of seven greenwings, five cinnamons, three mallards, three ruddies, and one shoveler.
The HAZARD UNIT on the SONNY BONO-SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE is managed as part of the Wister Unit. Check in time is 3 am.
Hunters without reservations can register at 10:30 pm the night before the
shoot day, to get in the "sweat line" for any vacancies. There is
primitive camping available near the check in station if you get a daily use
permit. Duck cleaning facility available at check in station. Hunt party limit
is 6, with 4 adults max. For more information, contact the Wister Unit at
(760) 359-0577. Manager Pam Churny's e-mail is imperialwla@dfg2.ca.gov
Click
here for weather report in Niland
Click for map of Finney - Ramer unit of Imperial WA
1/24/01 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 32 hunters this past Monday through Sunday who reported taking 36 ducks for a 1.13 average. The bag consisted of 20 greenwings, 11 shovelers, two mallards, two ruddies, and one cinnamon.
1/17/01 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 10 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking two greenwing teal for a .20 average.
1/10/01 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 13 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking 19 ducks for a 1.46 average. The bag included seven mallards, seven greenwings, four shovelers, and one redhead.
1/03/01 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 22 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking 12 ducks for a .55 average. The bag consisted of six shovelers, three greenwings, two redheads, and one pintail.
12/27/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 25 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking 11 ducks for a .44 average. Six ducks were not identified, and there were three greenwings, and two shovelers reported.
12/20/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 18 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking 11 greenwings, three shovelers, and one pintail. Tuesday was the best shoot day when six hunters took 11 birds for a 1.83 average.
12/13/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 11 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking one unidentified duck. Wednesday was the best shoot day when six hunters took 11 birds for a 1.83 average.
12/6/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 24 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking 15 ducks for a .63 average. The bag consisted of seven shovelers, five greenwings and three unidentified birds. Wednesday was the best shoot day when six hunters took 11 birds for a 1.83 average.
11/29/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 38 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking 29 ducks for a .76 average. Thursday was the best shoot day when six hunters reported taking 15 birds. Of the harvest, nine were identified as greenwings and four as shovelers.
11/22/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 12 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking six ducks for a .50 average. The bag consisted of four greenwings, one widgeon, and one shoveler. The best shoot day was Wednesday when one hunter shot four ducks.
11/15/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 33 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. They reported taking 30 ducks for a .91 average. The bag consisted of 14 greenwings, nine shovelers, three cinnamons, two pintail, a gadwall, and one mallard. The best shoot day was Wednesday when two hunters shot 13 ducks.
11/8/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 21 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. The only birds reported taken were on Saturday when eight hunters reported taking seven greenwing teal.
11/1/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were a total of 18 hunters over the seven shoot days from Monday through Sunday this past week. No birds were reported except on Saturday when five hunters reported taking eight ducks.
10/25/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were three hunters Tuesday last week who shot two cinnamon teal, a gadwall and a redhead for a 1.33 average. On Friday, two hunters shot eight ducks for a 4.0 average. On Saturday, there were 10 hunters who shot only two ducks.
10/18/00 At the FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo River south of the Salton Sea, there were 31 hunters opening day who shot 45 ducks for a 1.45 average. Of the take, 38 of the birds were unidentified in the self-check system, five were greenwings, and two were cinnamons. On Sunday, there were three hunters who shot 14 birds for a 4.67 average. None were identified.
The FINNEY-RAMER UNIT of the IMPERIAL WILDLIFE AREA on the Alamo
River south of the Salton Sea is open to hunters seven days per week under
a self-registration system. It is an ideal spot for a hunter with his own
small duck boat or scull boat. While the numbers don't show it, the area can
be very productive for a hunter who scouts the area and hunts it intelligently.
For more information, contact the Wister Unit at (760) 359-0577. Manager Pam
Churny's e-mail is imperialwla@dfg2.ca.gov
Click here for weather report in Alpine
1/24/01 BARRETT LAKE had six hunters last Wednesday who shot 33 ducks, including three limits, for a 5.50 average. The duck bag consisted of 22 ruddies, four gadwall, four mergansers, one scaup, one mallard, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who shot 71 ducks, including seven limits, for a 4.44 average. The duck bag included 62 ruddies, two gadwall, two shovelers, two greenwings, one scaup, one redhead, and one ringneck.
1/17/01 BARRETT LAKE had one hunter last Wednesday who shot a limit of ducks, including four ruddies, two greenwings, and a gadwall. On Saturday, there were nine hunters who shot 11 ducks for a 1.22 average. The bag consisted of 10 ruddies and one ringneck.
1/10/01 BARRETT LAKE had one hunter last Wednesday who shot a scaup and a gadwall for a 2.00 average. On Saturday, there were 12 hunters who shot 19 ducks for a 1.58 average. The bag consisted of 11 ruddies, four gadwall, three greenwings, and one scaup.
1/03/01 BARRETT LAKE had 13 hunters last Wednesday who shot 48 ducks and a coot for a 3.77 average. The bag consisted of 38 ruddies, three gadwall, two scaup, two ringnecks one canvasback, one greenwing, and one merganser. No data available for Saturday.
12/27/00 BARRETT LAKE had seven hunters last Wednesday who shot 30 ducks, including two limits, for a 4.29 average. The bag consisted of 25 ruddies, two greenwings, two gadwall, and one canvasback. On Saturday, there were 10 hunters who shot 26 ducks for a 2.60 average. The bag included 15 ruddies, three scaup, two gadwall, two cinnamon teal, two mergansers, one greenwing, and one redhead.
Special Junior Hunts: A pair of special junior hunts will be held Saturday, Jan. 27, at Barrett Lake and Sunday, Jan. 28 at Cuyamaca. Hunters 12 to 15 are eligible to apply. Postcard applications must be received by Jan. 17. Specify which hunt is preferred and include the junior hunter’s name, address, and hunting license number. For more information on reservations, write Lake Cuyamaca Junior Waterfowl Hunt, 15027 Highway 79, Julian, CA 92036, or contact Hugh Marx at (760) 765-0515. The website address is www.lakecuyamaca.org.
12/20/00 BARRETT LAKE had nine hunters last Wednesday who shot 38 ducks for a 4.22 average. The bag consisted of 31 ruddies, three greenwings, one scaup, one shoveler, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 12 hunters who shot 34 ducks, including three limits, for a 2.83 average. The bag included 26 ruddies, three ringnecks, one scaup, one canvasback, one shoveler, one widgeon, and one greenwing.
12/13/00 BARRETT LAKE had nine hunters last Wednesday who shot 21 ducks, including two limits, for a 2.33 average. The bag consisted of 15 ruddies, three gadwall, one mallard, one greenwing, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 14 hunters who shot 37 ducks, including three limits, for a 2.64 average. The bag included 34 ruddies, one canvasback, one widgeon, and one greenwing.
12/6/00 BARRETT LAKE had 10 hunters last Wednesday who shot 47 ducks and seven snipe for a 4.7 duck average. The bag consisted of 31 ruddies, four bufflehead, three shovelers, three ringneck, two gadwall, one canvasback, one mallard, one widgeon, and one greenwing. On Saturday, there were 19 hunters who shot 36 ducks for a 1.89 average. The bag consisted of 24 ruddies, four greenwings, three mallards, two gadwall, one widgeon, one scaup, and one ringneck.
11/29/00 BARRETT LAKE had 13 hunters last Wednesday who shot 16 ducks for a 1.23 average. The bag consisted of 12 ruddies, five gadwall, one bufflehead, one mallard, one shoveler, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were eight hunters who shot 28 ducks, including one limit, for a 3.5 average. The bag consisted of 13 ruddies, three greenwings, two shovelers, two ringnecks, one mallard, one pintail, and one widgeon.
11/22/00 BARRETT LAKE had 29 hunters this past week who shot 57 ducks, including, one limit for a 1.97 average. The duck bag consisted of 24 ruddies, 13 greenwing teal, five mallards, four scaup, two canvasback, two shovelers, two ringnecks, one bufflehead, one gadwall, one pintail, one widgeon, and one redhead.
11/15/00 BARRETT LAKE had seven hunters last Wednesday who shot 10 ducks for a 1.43 average. The bag consisted of three mallards, three ruddies, two ringnecks, one pintail, and one bluebill. On Saturday, there were 12 hunters who shot 26 ducks, including two limits, for a 2.17 average. The bag included 18 ruddies, three bufflehead, two wood ducks, one bluebill, one mallard, and one ringneck.
11/8/00 BARRETT LAKE had nine hunters last Wednesday who shot 30 ducks for a 3.33 waterfowl average. The bag consisted of 12 ruddies, six greenwings, four ringnecks, two cinnamons, one canvasback, one gadwall, one mallard, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 18 hunters who shot 25 ducks and a coot, including one limit, for a 1.44 average. The bag consisted of 10 greenwings, six ruddies, three ringnecks, two mallards, two shovelers, one widgeon, and one cinnamon teal.
11/1/00 BARRETT LAKE had 16 hunters last Wednesday who shot 45 ducks, including three limits, and two coots a 2.94 average. The bag consisted of 28 ruddies, five greenwings, four ringnecks, three mallards, two pintail, one shoveler, one widgeon, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 21 hunters who shot 49 ducks, including five limits, for a 2.33 average. The duck bag included 44 ruddy ducks, two mallards, two ringnecks, and one greenwing.
10/25/00 BARRETT LAKE had 25 hunters last Wednesday who shot 29 ducks for a 1.16 average. The bag consisted of seven mallards, seven ruddies, six cinnamon teal, five greenwings, two gadwall, and two pintail. On Saturday, there were 21 hunters who shot 47 ducks, including four limits, and four coots for a 2.43 average. The duck bag included 41 ruddy ducks, three cinnamon teal, one mallard, one widgeon, and one ring neck.
10/18/00 BARRETT LAKE had 33 hunters opening Saturday who shot 91 ducks, including six limits, for a 2.76 average. The bag consisted of 27 cinnamon teal, 19 mallards, 14 ruddies, 13 greenwings, six widgeon, four shovelers, four pintail, two redheads, one scaup, and one gadwall. Rick Walker, Ramona, Steve Bowman, Lakeside, and Pat Morton, Escondido, hunted the No. 9 blind in the Hauser Arm at Barrett to shoot five mallards, five cinnamons, five greenwings, three pintail, two widgeon, and a gadwall for their limits. Reservations are sold out.
Because of falling water levels Barrett will have only 13 sites
this year, down from 18 last season, but Barrett always provides the best
hunting of the three city reservoirs. Last season 636 hunters bagged 1,669
ducks for a 2.62 average. Barrett is open Wednesday and Saturdays. For information
on the San Diego City Lakes waterfowl program, call (619) 668-2060.
Click here for weather report in Jamul
1/24/01 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot nine ducks for a .89 average. The bag was made up of four shovelers, two mallards, one canvasback, one cinnamon, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who shot 22 ducks for a 1.38 average. The bag consisted of 15 ruddies, three mallards, two shovelers, one gadwall, and one cinnamon.
1/17/01 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were six hunters last Wednesday who shot 10 ducks for a 1.67 average. The bag included five cinnamon teal, two gadwall, one canvasback, one mallard, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 23 hunters who shot nine ducks for a .39 average. The bag consisted of four ruddies, three shovelers, one gadwall, and one cinnamon.
1/10/01 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 11 hunters last Wednesday who shot 18 for a 1.64 average. The bag consisted of nine shovelers, two gadwall, two cinnamons, two ringnecks, one scaup, one ruddy, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 33 hunters who shot 13 ducks for a .39 average. The duck bag consisted of four shovelers, four cinnamons, two gadwall, two ruddies, and one greenwing.
1/03/01 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 11 hunters last Wednesday who shot 22 ducks for a 2.00 average. The bag included eight shovelers, four ruddies, four gadwall, two mallards, two cinnamons, one pintail and one widgeon. On Saturday, there were 26 hunters who shot 13 ducks and a coot for a .54 average. The bag consisted of four gadwall, four shovelers, two pintail, one scaup, one ruddy, and one redhead.
12/27/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 17 hunters last Wednesday who shot 26 ducks for a 1.53 average. The bag included 10 gadwall, eight shovelers, three mallards, two ruddies, one scaup, one pintail, and one ringneck. No report for Saturday.
12/20/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were nine hunters last Wednesday who shot eight ducks for a .89 average. The bag included four shovelers, one scaup, one bufflehead, one mallard, and one cinnamon teal. On Saturday, there were 26 hunters who shot 25 ducks for a .96 average. The bag consisted of eight ruddies, seven gadwall, two mallards, two ringnecks, one bufflehead, one canvasback, one shoveler, one greenwing, one cinnamon, and one redhead.
12/13/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 14 hunters last Wednesday who shot 17 ducks, including one limit, for a 1.21 average. The bag consisted of four widgeon, three mallards, three redheads, two bufflehead, two canvasback, two gadwall, and one greenwing. On Saturday, there were 15 hunters who shot 14 ducks for a .93 average. The bag consisted of three gadwall, three pintail, three greenwings, two shovelers, one scaup, one mallard, and one widgeon.
12/6/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 11 hunters last Wednesday who shot 17 ducks for a 1.54 average. The duck bag consisted of five redheads, three scaup, two buffleheads, two gadwall, two mallards, and two greenwings. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who shot 14 ducks and one snow goose for a .94 average. The duck bag included five mallards, two ruddies, one scaup, one gadwall, one pintail, one greenwing, and one ringneck.
11/29/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 16 hunters last Wednesday who shot 37 ducks and one Canada goose for a 2.38 average. The duck bag consisted of 17 gadwall, eight mallards, two canvasback, two ruddies, two cinnamons, two ringneck, one bufflehead, one shoveler, one widgeon, and one merganser. On Saturday, there were 14 hunters who shot 27 ducks and three Canada geese for a 2.14 average. The duck bag consisted of eight gadwall, three canvasback three mallards, three greenwings, two scaup, two pintail, one bufflehead, one shoveler, and one widgeon.
11/22/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 32 hunters this past week who shot 61 ducks, including three limits, for a 1.91 average. The bag consisted of 11 gadwall, 11 mallards, 10 bufflehead, eight scaup, six ruddies, four widgeon, four greenwings, three ringnecks, two cinnamons, one canvasback, and one pintail.
11/15/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 10 hunters last Wednesday who shot 30 ducks for a 3.0 average. The bag consisted of 10 ruddies, four gadwall, four mallards, four widgeon, three greenwings, two ringnecks, two mergansers, and one pintail. On Saturday, there were 13 hunters who shot 25 ducks, including two limits, for a 1.92 average. The bag included eight gadwall, five bufflehead, three widgeon, three greenwings, two mallards, two ringnecks, one bluebill, and one pintail.
11/8/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot 15 ducks for a 1.88 average. The bag included four ruddies, three greenwings, two pintail, two widgeon, one bufflehead, one gadwall, one wood duck, and one ringneck. On Saturday, there were 20 hunters who shot 28 ducks, including one limit, for a 1.40 average. The bag consisted of five mallards, four scaup, four gadwall, four ruddies, three bufflehead, three greenwings, two widgeon, one cinnamon, one redhead, and one ringneck.
11/1/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who shot seven ducks for a .88 average. The bag consisted of three mallards, three cinnamon teal, and one greenwing. On Saturday, there were 32 hunters who shot 17 ducks and one speckled belly goose for a .56 average.
10/25/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 19 hunters who shot 15 ducks for a .79 average. The bag included six mallards, four cinnamon teal, two pintail, one shoveler, one greenwing, and one redhead. On Saturday, there were 24 hunters who shot 15 ducks and two coots for a .71 average. The duck bag consisted of eight mallards, six cinnamon teal, and one gadwall.
10/18/00 At OTAY RESERVOIR, there were 43 hunters opener who shot 75 ducks and a coot, including four limits, for a 1.74 average. The bag consisted of 28 mallards, 16 cinnamons, eight widgeon, seven pintail, seven greenwings, six gadwall, two ringnecks, and one shoveler. John Anderson, San Diego, Jeff Fulgham, El Cajon, and Larry Phillips, Chula Vista, had limits from the No. 24 blind at Upper Otay opener. They shot nine mallards, five cinnamon teal, three pintail, two gadwall and two greenwings. Some reservations are still available.
Lower and Upper Otay are managed together and the Lower lake
has good water levels this year and will have 20 sites, while Upper Otay will
have just two sites. Last season 508 hunters shot 888 ducks for a 1.75 average.
Otay is open Wednesday and Saturdays. For information on the San Diego City
Lakes waterfowl program, call (619) 668-2060.
Click here for weather report at Santa Ysabel
1/24/01 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters last Thursday, but on Sunday, eight hunters shot 16 ducks for a 2.00 average. The bag consisted of 11 gadwall, three bufflehead, one goldeneye, and one mallard.
1/17/01 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters last week.
1/10/01 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters reported last Thursday. On Sunday, there were two hunters who shot four ducks for a 2.00 average. The duck bag consisted of two cinnamons, one bufflehead, and one ruddy.
1/03/01 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters reported last Thursday. On Sunday, there were two hunters who shot six ducks for a 3.00 average. The duck bag consisted of four ruddies, one bufflehead, and one gadwall.
12/27/00 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters reported last Thursday or Sunday.
12/20/00 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters last Thursday. On Sunday, there were two hunters who shot a single ruddy duck for a .50 average.
12/13/00 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters last Thursday. On Sunday, there were three hunters who shot four ducks ducks for a 1.33 average. The bag consisted of two bufflehead, one gadwall, and one widgeon.
12/6/00 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters last Thursday. On Sunday, there were four hunters who shot three ducks for a .75 average. The bag included two ruddies and one bufflehead.
11/29/00 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters last Thursday. On Sunday, there were seven hunters who shot 18 ducks for a 2.57 average. The bag included eight ruddies, six widgeon, three gadwall, and one mallard.
11/22/00 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were three hunters this past week who shot nine ruddies for a 3.0 average.
11/15/00 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were two hunters last Thursday who didn't get a duck. On Sunday, there were three hunters who shot two mallards for a .67 average.
11/8/00 At SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR, there were no hunters last Thursday. On Sunday, there were three hunters who shot one widgeon for a .33 average.
11/1/00 This past Thursday, there were three hunters who didn't shoot any birds.
10/25/00 SUTHERLAND RESERVOIR is currently open only on Thursday, but will open on Sundays beginning Nov. 5. This past Thursday, there were eight hunters who shot nine ducks for a 1.13 average. The bag consisted of five mallards, two greenwing teal, one widgeon, and one redhead.
10/18/00 Some reservations still
open. Sutherland has 10 hunting sites but few birds use the lake. Last year
59 hunters shot 75 ducks. Sutherland will open to hunting the first Sunday
in November. Hunting is on Thursdays and Sundays. For information on the City
Lakes waterfowl program, call (619) 668-2060.
Click here for weather report at Santa Ysabel
1/24/01 At HENSHAW, there were 12 hunters last Wednesday who shot 39 ducks for a 3.25 average. The bag included 22 widgeon, 12 teal, and five gadwall. On Saturday, there were 10 hunters who shot 37 ducks for a 3.70 average. The bag consisted of 15 teal, seven wigeon, six shovelers, five pintail, three gadwall, one one mallard.
1/17/01 At HENSHAW, there were 12 hunters last Wednesday who reported taking 26 ducks for a 2.17 average. The duck bag consisted of 13 widgeon, nine teal, three mallards, and one shoveler. On Saturday, there were 29 hunters who shot 57 ducks for a 1.97 average. The duck bag included 21 teal, 14 wigeon, 12 mallards, seven shovelers, two gadwall, and one merganser.
1/10/01 At HENSHAW, there were 12 hunters last Wednesday who reported taking 26 ducks and two snow geese for a 2.33 average. The duck bag included 18 widgeon and eight teal. On Saturday, there 17 hunters who shot 60 ducks 3.53 average. The duck bag consisted of 29 widgeon, 10 mallards, eight gadwall, seven teal, five shovelers, and a pintail.
1/03/01 At HENSHAW, there were six hunters last Wednesday who reported taking 25 ducks, including one limit, for a 4.17 average. The bag consisted of 13 teal and 12 widgeon. On Saturday, there were 12 hunters who shot 43 ducks and two Canada geese, including one limit, for a 3.75 average. The duck bag consisted of 27 widgeon, five teal, four gadwall, three shovelers, two mallards, and two pintail.
12/27/00 At HENSHAW, there were eight hunters last Wednesday who reported taking 38 ducks, a Ross goose, and a snow goose for a 5.00 average. The duck bag consisted of 30 widgeon, three teal, three gadwall, and two mallards. On Saturday, there were 34 hunters who shot 29 ducks and two Canada geese for a .91 average. The duck bag consisted of 15 widgeon, five teal, four gadwall, three mergansers, and two pintail.
12/20/00 At HENSHAW, the waterfowl season opened last Wednesday. There were 31 hunters who reported 129 ducks, including 15 limits, and two Canada geese for a 4.23 average. The duck bag included 75 widgeon, 27 teal, 14 mallards, six shoveler, five gadwall, and four pintail. On Saturday, there were 16 hunters who reported 43 ducks, including two limits, for a 2.69 average. The bag consisted of 19 teal, 15 widgeon, four mallards, two pintail, two gadwall and one shoveler.
12/6/00 At HENSHAW, the water level is so low that duck and goose hunting has been postponed.
LAKE HENSHAW is a scull boater's dream. The San Diego County water holds a good number of geese each year and a wide variety of big ducks. While hunters using decoys from shore or boat have good shooting, it is one of the best places for a hunter in a scull boat. The lake traditionally opens to duck and goose hunting later in the fall, usually around Dec. 1. Hunt days are Wednesdays and Saturdays. The fee has been $25 per hunter per day. For more information, contact the lake at (760) 782-3501.
Click here for weather report at Julian
1/24/01 At LAKE CUYAMACA, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot four mallards, two shovelers, and one canvasback for a 1.75 average. On Sunday, there were seven hunters who shot two mallards, two wigeon, a pintail and a bluewing teal for a .86 average. There will be a junior hunt here Sunday.
1/17/01 At LAKE CUYAMACA, there were 11 hunters last Wednesday who shot one scaup, one redhead, and one mallard for a .27 average. On Sunday, there were eight hunters who shot a single mallard for a .13 average.
1/10/01 At LAKE CUYAMACA, there were four hunters last Wednesday who shot four shovelers, one mallard, and one canvasback for a 1.50 average. On Sunday, there were six hunters who shot two mallards, one bluewing teal, and one bufflehead for a .67 average.
1/03/01 At LAKE CUYAMACA, there were five hunters last Wednesday who shot two canvasback and a shoveler for a .60 average. On Sunday, there were 10 hunters who shot three mallards and a shoveler for a .40 average.
12/27/00 At LAKE CUYAMACA, there were nine hunters last Wednesday who shot four mallards and two pintail for a .67 average. On Sunday, there were eight hunters who shot two canvasbacks, a mallard, and a spoonie for a .50 average.
Special Junior Hunts: A pair of special junior hunts will be held Saturday, Jan. 27, at Barrett Lake and Sunday, Jan. 28 at Cuyamaca. Hunters 12 to 15 are eligible to apply. Postcard applications must be received by Jan. 17. Specify which hunt is preferred and include the junior hunter’s name, address, and hunting license number. For more information on reservations, write Lake Cuyamaca Junior Waterfowl Hunt, 15027 Highway 79, Julian, CA 92036, or contact Hugh Marx at (760) 765-0515. The website address is www.lakecuyamaca.org.
12/20/00 At LAKE CUYAMACA, there were 10 hunters last Wednesday who shot a mallard and a spoonie for a .15 average. On Sunday, there were nine hunters who shot a single mallard for a .11 average.
12/13/00 At LAKE CUYAMACA, there were 13 last Wednesday who shot a mallard and a spoonie for a .15 average. On Sunday, there were 10 hunters who shot 16 ducks for a 1.60 average. The bag consisted of five mallards, four shovelers, three bufflehead, two canvasbacks and two gadwall.
12/6/00 At LAKE CUYA